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April 3, 2008, 2:59 pm
Flag as Inappropriate ewills  

According to a new study that will be published in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, drinking water in large quantity to clear toxins, ward off weight gain by suppressing appetite and to improving skin tone may not do any good or harm either.

From

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/F_ood_C_hemicals_37/040308382008_Water_as_a_nutrient_What_you_need_to_know.shtml

Dan Negoianu, MD, and Stanley Goldfarb, MD, of the Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA reviewed previous clinical studies on drinking water.

Individuals in hot, dry climates, as well as athletes, have an increased need for water and people with certain diseases benefit from increased fluid intake, the researchers found.

But data are lacking for average and health individuals and no single study provides evidence that supports the recommendation of drinking eight glasses of water each day. It's not clear where the recommendation came from, according to the researchers.

The review found drinking water has an impact on clearance of various substances such as sodium and urea by the kidney. But it's unclear what sort of clinical benefit may be provided. This means the claim that increased water intake improves kidney function and helps to clear toxins has not been substantiated.

The study also found no evidence to suggest drinking eight glasses of water a day would provide benefits to organs, help people maintain their weight or even help fight obesity.

Drs. Negoianu and Goldfarb did find in a small trial people having increased water intake experienced fewer episodes of headaches than those who did not, but they said the results were not statistically significant.

With regard to the skin tone, no studies have shown increased intake of water rendered any clinical benefit to skin tone although dehydration can decrease skin turgor, the study said.

The researchers said essentially there is no evidence to suggest drinking eight glasses of water per day does or does not provide benefits.

"There is simply a lack of evidence in general," they explained.

A scientist affiliated with foodconsumer.org suggested that people should not be discouraged by the study from drinking enough water a day, particularly along with meals.

But he cautioned that people should drink healthy water only. Ideal water to drink is the one that is free of pollutants, slightly alkaline and with lots of essential minerals.

Each individual may not specifically need 8 glasses of water a day, but being properly hydrated is not a bad thing. In today’s fast food society, we drink too many sodas and sugary alternatives to water, which dehydrate our bodies. Plenty of water is needed each day to keep our bodies running at peak performance. That could be ten glasses for one person, and 4 for another.

I agree, it doesn't matter specifically how many glasses you drink just so long you are properly hydrated.

Water has proven to help people lose weight in one way. Drink a glass of water about 20 minutes before you eat a meal and you will feel full faster and therefore eat less.

As to the 8 glasses a day, I don't think I've ever had that much water in one day but I do know that I feel better when I drink at least some water every day as opposed to when I do not.

I won't say I agree with this statement as I have found that drinking water on a regular basis, not necessarily 8 glasses everyday does have a positive effect on my body and state of mind.

You know, all these different research and studies makes me dehydrated. All this time I've being hearing 8 glasses a day is good for me and now to see cold water being thrown on on it - what is a guy to believe?

I believe that 8 glasses might be a bit much, depending on one's body size, but water has got to be good for the body.

The original amount was meant to take into account moisture from everything consumed in a day, not just straight water(I watched this on the news last night and recall it from health class). So if you eat your fruits and vegetables as you're supposed to you probably need less water or any liquids in addition. I normally find 1-3 glasses a day is more than enough. more than that and I spend all day in the ladies' room.

So what does the research try to prove then? That drinking less water is ok because water does no good for the body?

This statement really irritates me. It contradicts itself:

"The review found drinking water has an impact on clearance of various substances such as sodium and urea by the kidney. But it's unclear what sort of clinical benefit may be provided. This means the claim that increased water intake improves kidney function and helps to clear toxins has not been substantiated."

In the first sentence, it was stated that it clean the body of sodium and urea. On the last sentence, it states that water won't help in clearing toxins.

Now if you continue reading the whole article, there are 10 facts of water in our body, which was not included in this thread.

Here are those:

Water as a nutrient: what you need to know

1) The human body is made up of 55 to 75 percent water, which is the basis of blood, digestive juices, urine and perspiration;

2) Water is continuously lost every second from the lungs, skin, urine and feces. The amount of water we need each day depends upon the body metabolism, the weather, the food we eat and physical activity;

3) Men have more water in their bodies than women. Adults lose about 2.5-3 liters of water per day. Hot weather, exercise, and air travel increase loss of water;

4) Food provides one third of water we need and the rest needs provided by drinks including drinking water;

5) Water in the body helps maintain the health and integrity of cells; keep the blood flow freely through blood vessels; eliminate the by-products of the body's metabolism, excess electrolytes and urea; regulate body temperature; keep mucous membranes moist; lubricate and cushion joints; reduce risk of cystitis; help digestion and prevent constipation; improve skin texture and appearance; and mediate transportation of nutrients and oxygen to cells;

6) Loss of too water causes dehydration which results in symptoms including increased headaches, lethargy, mood changes and slow responses, dry nasal passages, dry or cracked lips, dark-colored urine, weakness, tiredness, confusion and hallucinations;

7) Dehydration can be caused by increased sweating, not drinking enough water, increased urination, diarrhea or vomiting and recovering from burns;

8) More water is needed in people who are eating a high protein diet or a high fiber diet; children; patients having diarrhea or vomiting; and those who are physically active or exposed to warm or hot weather;

9) Drinking too much water (many liters a day) may cause a condition known as water intoxication or hyponatremia. This happens when sodium in the blood drops to a dangerously low level. The condition causes headaches, blurred vision, cramps, swelling of the brain, coma and possibly death;

10) It is generally recommended that 6 to 8 glasses of a variety of fluids can be consumed each day. Some people may need more water if they are physically active, children, people in hot or humid environments, or breastfeeding.

Allot of people don't realize that they get their water from food. This too keeps us well hydrated along with drinking water.

Why is money wasted on this kind of research?

There's nothing wrong or unhealthy with drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Unless you have some sort of illness, drinking good water can't harm you.

It's cheap and healthy, so why do any research that says because it's not a SUPER food that it's not worth having?

I know that drinking three quarts of water a day helped me lose a lot of weight. I drank something when I was hungry to make sure that I really wanted food. I didn't waste money or time.

I wonder why time and money was spent with this silly kind of "research."

I watched several different news programs that ran this story. One went so far as to say you don't need to drink any water unless you feel thirsty. I couldn't believe that statement because I've always heard that if you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. I think someday they will redo this study and come up with the old idea that we need to drink lots of water, maybe even 8 glasses a day.

I drink water, but could never drink eight glasses as that is just too many for even me to drink. I love water though especially ice cold water.